About Plug and Play

Plug and Play is one of the world's most active early-stage venture capital firms and innovation platforms, with a global network spanning over 65 locations across multiple continents. Since its founding, the organization has invested in hundreds of technology companies and facilitated thousands of connections between startups, corporations, and investors. Plug and Play operates sector-specific programs in industries ranging from fintech and health to supply chain and sustainability, providing emerging founders with the mentorship, capital, and strategic partnerships needed to scale their solutions globally. Now, Plug and Play is making a landmark expansion into New York City — one of the world's most dynamic technology ecosystems. In partnership with the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), Plug and Play will co-lead the NYC AI Nexus, a first-of-its-kind initiative designed to accelerate the adoption of Applied AI across the city's most critical industries. This program represents a significant commitment to positioning New York as a global leader in responsible, industry-focused artificial intelligence innovation.

The Opportunity

We are seeking a Lead for the NYC AI Nexus program based in New York City. This is a senior leadership role responsible for the strategic direction, operational execution, and stakeholder management of a high-profile public-private partnership aimed at transforming how small, medium, and large enterprises across New York City adopt and deploy artificial intelligence solutions. The Lead will serve as the primary operational driver of the program, working closely with Plug and Play's global leadership team, the NYCEDC, corporate partners, academic institutions, government agencies, and a curated cohort of AI startups. This individual will be the connective tissue between the innovation community and the established industries that stand to benefit most from Applied AI — from financial services and healthcare to logistics, real estate, media, and manufacturing.

Key Responsibilities

Lead the end-to-end design, launch, and ongoing management of the NYC AI Nexus program, ensuring alignment with both Plug and Play's global innovation strategy and NYCEDC's economic development objectives.
Build and manage a robust pipeline of AI startup participants, overseeing scouting, evaluation, and selection processes to curate cohorts of high-potential founders developing Applied AI solutions for real-world industry challenges.
Develop and execute the SME Catalyst program, creating structured pathways for small and medium enterprises across New York City's boroughs to pilot, test, and adopt AI technologies through direct engagement with vetted startup partners.
Cultivate and maintain strategic relationships with corporate partners, university research centers, government agencies, venture capital firms, and community organizations to build a collaborative ecosystem that supports responsible AI advancement.
Design and facilitate workshops, demo days, industry roundtables, and networking events that bring together diverse stakeholders — from C-suite executives to early-stage founders — to foster meaningful collaboration and knowledge exchange.
Establish clear program KPIs and success metrics, including startup funding milestones, SME engagement rates, pilot program completion numbers, and ecosystem growth indicators, and deliver regular progress reports to Plug and Play leadership and NYCEDC stakeholders.
Coordinate with Plug and Play's global network of 65+ locations to facilitate cross-market opportunities for NYC-based founders, including international expansion pathways, investor introductions, and corporate pilot programs in other geographies.
Manage program budgets, timelines, and resource allocation in partnership with Plug and Play's operations team, ensuring fiscal responsibility and transparent reporting to all funding and partnership entities.
Serve as the public-facing representative of the NYC AI Nexus at industry conferences, media engagements, and policy discussions, positioning the program as a flagship model for urban AI innovation.
Mentor and support participating founders on go-to-market strategy, product-market fit, fundraising preparation, and corporate engagement best practices, leveraging Plug and Play's extensive mentor network and global resources.

Work Environment and Culture

Plug and Play operates at the intersection of technology, entrepreneurship, and corporate innovation. The work environment is fast-paced, collaborative, and deeply mission-driven. The NYC AI Nexus Lead will work from Plug and Play's New York City office and will frequently engage on-site with corporate partners, startup incubators, university labs, and government offices across all five boroughs. The culture values intellectual curiosity, entrepreneurial thinking, and a genuine commitment to making technology accessible and beneficial to a broad range of industries and communities. Team members are expected to be self-starters who thrive in ambiguity, can manage multiple complex workstreams simultaneously, and are passionate about the transformative potential of artificial intelligence when applied responsibly. This role requires occasional travel within the United States and internationally to Plug and Play's other program locations, investor events, and partner meetings.

Candidate Requirements

Minimum of 8 years of professional experience in innovation program management, venture capital, technology consulting, startup ecosystem development, or a closely related field.
Demonstrated track record of building and scaling programs that connect startups with enterprises, government agencies, or institutional partners.
Deep understanding of the artificial intelligence and machine learning landscape, including familiarity with Applied AI use cases across industries such as financial services, healthcare, logistics, and enterprise software.
Strong network within the New York City technology, venture capital, and academic communities, with the ability to quickly establish credibility and build relationships with senior stakeholders.
Experience managing public-private partnerships or working closely with economic development organizations, government entities, or municipal agencies.
Exceptional communication and presentation skills, with the ability to articulate complex technical concepts to non-technical audiences and represent the program at high-profile events and in media settings.
Proven ability to manage budgets, develop strategic plans, and deliver measurable outcomes in fast-moving, resource-constrained environments.
Bachelor's degree required; MBA, Master's in a technology-related field, or equivalent practical experience strongly preferred.
Passionate about entrepreneurship, emerging technology, and the role that AI can play in driving inclusive economic growth across diverse communities.

Technical and Domain Expertise

The ideal candidate will have working familiarity with the following tools, platforms, and domains:

Startup and innovation platform management tools (e.g., Salesforce, Airtable, Notion, or similar CRM and project management systems).
AI/ML ecosystem knowledge, including familiarity with major cloud AI platforms such as AWS AI Services, Google Cloud AI, Microsoft Azure AI, and IBM Watson.
Data analytics and reporting tools for tracking program KPIs (e.g., Tableau, Power BI, or Google Data Studio).
Understanding of venture capital processes including deal flow management, due diligence frameworks, and portfolio company support.
Familiarity with enterprise technology adoption cycles, pilot program design, and change management principles.
Knowledge of AI ethics, responsible AI frameworks, and regulatory considerations relevant to municipal and federal policy discussions.

Benefits and Compensation

This is a full-time leadership position with a competitive compensation package commensurate with experience. Plug and Play offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

Competitive base salary with performance-based bonus structure tied to program milestones and ecosystem impact metrics.
Health, dental, and vision insurance coverage.
Generous paid time off and flexible working arrangements.
Direct exposure to one of the most active venture capital and innovation platforms in the world, with access to deal flow, investor networks, and portfolio company opportunities.
The opportunity to shape a landmark initiative at the intersection of technology, government, and economic development in the world's second-largest technology ecosystem.
Professional development support, including conference attendance, executive education, and leadership coaching.

Career Growth

The NYC AI Nexus Lead role is a career-defining opportunity for a leader who wants to be at the forefront of urban technology innovation. As the program scales, there are significant opportunities for advancement within Plug and Play's global organization, including potential pathways to regional leadership roles, global program design positions, and senior strategic roles within the firm's expanding portfolio of innovation initiatives. New York City's AI ecosystem is projected to grow substantially over the next decade, and the NYC AI Nexus is positioned to become a central pillar of that growth. The Lead will gain unparalleled access to the city's top founders, investors, corporate leaders, and policymakers — building a professional network and body of work that will be valuable for the entirety of their career.

How to Apply

Interested candidates are invited to submit their application through Plug and Play's careers portal. The application process includes an initial screening call with the talent acquisition team, followed by a series of interviews with senior leadership and program stakeholders. Shortlisted candidates will be asked to present a brief strategic vision for the NYC AI Nexus program as part of the final interview round. We aim to complete the hiring process within four to six weeks of the initial application review.